Automated container kiosk

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, methods, systems, and program products are disclosed for an automated container kiosk. An apparatus includes a request module configured to receive a request over a data network to unlock a door of a container. An apparatus includes a payment module configured to determine whether one or more payment conditions is satisfied for one or more items within a container. An apparatus includes a security module configured to, in response to determining that one or more payment conditions is satisfied, receive unlock information for unlocking a door of a container and enable one or more security measures for monitoring activity within the container.

FIELD

This invention relates to kiosks and more particularly relates to anautomated container kiosk.

BACKGROUND

In order to purchase products, consumers may be required to go to aretail store and be assisted by employees. Kiosks can be used to provideself-service means to purchase products without the need of a retailstore or employees.

SUMMARY

An apparatus for an automated container kiosk is disclosed. A system andmethod also perform the functions of the apparatus. In one embodiment,an apparatus includes a request module configured to receive a requestover a data network to unlock a door of a container. In certainembodiments, an apparatus includes a payment module configured todetermine whether one or more payment conditions is satisfied for one ormore items within a container. In various embodiments, an apparatusincludes a security module configured to, in response to determiningthat one or more payment conditions is satisfied, receive unlockinformation for unlocking a door of a container and enable one or moresecurity measures for monitoring activity within the container. In someembodiments, modules comprise one or more of hardware circuits,programmable hardware devices, and a processor executing code.

A container for an automated container kiosk is disclosed. In oneembodiment, a container includes a door that is operably coupled to acontainer and comprising a locking mechanism configured to selectivelyallow unsupervised access to an inside of the container. In furtherembodiments, a container includes a controller that is configured toreceive a request over a data network to unlock a door of a container,determine whether one or more payment conditions is satisfied for one ormore items within the container, and in response to determining that theone or more payment conditions is satisfied, receive unlock informationfor unlocking the locking mechanism and enable one or more securitymeasures for monitoring activity within the container.

A method for an automated container kiosk is disclosed. In oneembodiment, a method includes receiving a request over a data network tounlock the door of the container. In certain embodiments, a methodincludes determining whether one or more payment conditions is satisfiedfor one or more items within a container. In some embodiments, a methodincludes, in response to determining that the one or more paymentconditions is satisfied, receiving unlock information for unlocking adoor of a container and enabling one or more security measures formonitoring activity within the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a containerfor an automated container kiosk;

FIG. 1B is a perspective cut-away view illustrating another embodimentof a container for an automated container kiosk;

FIG. 2 is schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of asystem for an automated container kiosk;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anapparatus for an automated container kiosk;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow-chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method for an automated container kiosk; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a schematic flow-chart diagram illustrating oneembodiment of another method for an automated container kiosk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughoutthis specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the sameembodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unlessexpressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,”“having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of itemsdoes not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusiveand/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Theterms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that the embodiments may be practicedwithout one or more of the specific features or advantages of aparticular embodiment. In other instances, additional features andadvantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not bepresent in all embodiments.

These features and advantages of the embodiments will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, or may belearned by the practice of embodiments as set forth hereinafter. As willbe appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method, and/or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having program code embodied thereon.

Many of the functional units described in this specification have beenlabeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize theirimplementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented asa hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays,off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or otherdiscrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmablehardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmablearray logic, programmable logic devices or the like.

Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by varioustypes of processors. An identified module of program code may, forinstance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computerinstructions which may, for instance, be organized as an object,procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identifiedmodule need not be physically located together, but may comprisedisparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joinedlogically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purposefor the module.

Indeed, a module of program code may be a single instruction, or manyinstructions, and may even be distributed over several different codesegments, among different programs, and across several memory devices.Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated hereinwithin modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organizedwithin any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may becollected as a single data set, or may be distributed over differentlocations including over different storage devices, and may exist, atleast partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.Where a module or portions of a module are implemented in software, theprogram code may be stored and/or propagated on in one or more computerreadable medium(s).

The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (“RAM”), aread-only memory (“ROM”), an erasable programmable read-only memory(“EPROM” or Flash memory), a static random access memory (“SRAM”), aportable compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), a digital versatiledisk (“DVD”), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encodeddevice such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove havinginstructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of theforegoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not tobe construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves orother freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic wavespropagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., lightpulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signalstransmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

Many of the functional units described in this specification have beenlabeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize theirimplementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented asa hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays,off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or otherdiscrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmablehardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmablearray logic, programmable logic devices or the like.

Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by varioustypes of processors. An identified module of program instructions may,for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks ofcomputer instructions which may, for instance, be organized as anobject, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of anidentified module need not be physically located together, but maycomprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which,when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve thestated purpose for the module.

The schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams in theFigures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation ofpossible implementations of apparatuses, systems, methods and computerprogram products according to various embodiments of the presentinvention. In this regard, each block in the schematic flowchartdiagrams and/or schematic block diagrams may represent a module,segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executableinstructions of the program code for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s).

It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in theFigures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionalityinvolved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalentin function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or portionsthereof, of the illustrated Figures.

Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in theflowchart and/or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit thescope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or otherconnectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depictedembodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoringperiod of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depictedembodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagramsand/or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by specialpurpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions oracts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and program code.

An apparatus for an automated container kiosk is disclosed. A system andmethod also perform the functions of the apparatus. In one embodiment,an apparatus includes a request module configured to receive a requestover a data network to unlock a door of a container. In certainembodiments, an apparatus includes a payment module configured todetermine whether one or more payment conditions is satisfied for one ormore items within a container. In various embodiments, an apparatusincludes a security module configured to, in response to determiningthat one or more payment conditions is satisfied, receive unlockinformation for unlocking a door of a container and enable one or moresecurity measures for monitoring activity within the container. In someembodiments, modules comprise one or more of hardware circuits,programmable hardware devices, and a processor executing code.

In one embodiment, the one or more security measures comprises turningon one or more cameras and lights within the container. In certainembodiments, the security module is further configured to enable one ormore cameras and lights located on an external surface of the containerin response to detecting a user's proximity to the container. In someembodiments, the security module is further configured to one or more ofsend a notification and provide a live video feed of an interior of thecontainer in response to a user accessing the interior of the container.

In various embodiments, the security module is further configured toautomatically unlock and open the door in response to receiving theunlock information for unlocking the door and automatically close thedoor after detecting a period of time without activity within thecontainer. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a theft moduleconfigured to detect one or more items that are taken from the containerthat have not been purchased.

In one embodiment, the theft module detects the one or more items thatare taken from the container that have not been purchased by one or moreof processing images of items taken from the container, scanning itemsas they are removed from the container, and using one or more weightsensors to determine the weight of the container before and after theitems are removed from the container. In certain embodiments, the theftmodule is further configured to send an alarm in response to detectingthe one or more items that are taken from the container that have notbeen purchased.

In one embodiment, the payment module receives payment for one or moreitems within the container via one or more of a mobile application, anautomated phone payment system, and a kiosk located at the container. Incertain embodiments, the unlock information comprises an unlock code fora digital lock that is used to lock the door. In various embodiments,the security module is further configured to automatically unlock thedoor using the unlock code in response to receiving the unlock code. Insome embodiments, the unlock code comprises a one-time use unlock codesuch that the unlock code is not valid after it is used to unlock thedoor.

A container for an automated container kiosk is disclosed. In oneembodiment, a container includes a door that is operably coupled to acontainer and comprising a locking mechanism configured to selectivelyallow unsupervised access to an inside of the container. In furtherembodiments, a container includes a controller that is configured toreceive a request over a data network to unlock a door of a container,determine whether one or more payment conditions is satisfied for one ormore items within the container, and in response to determining that theone or more payment conditions is satisfied, receive unlock informationfor unlocking the locking mechanism and enable one or more securitymeasures for monitoring activity within the container.

In one embodiment, the container includes a climate control system thatis configured to communicate with the controller to maintain one or moreclimate settings within the container. The climate settings may bedetermined based on a type of items within the container. In someembodiments, the climate control system comprises a heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system for controlling atemperature of the interior of the container. The temperature may bedetermined based on the type of items within the container. In oneembodiment, the climate control system further comprises one or moremoisture components for generating humidity and providing moisture toone or items within the container.

In certain embodiments, the container includes a power system thatincludes one or more solar panels and batteries for powering differentcomponents of the container. In various embodiments, the containerincludes a wireless communication system that includes one or more ofsatellite components, cellular components, and Wi-Fi components forwirelessly communicating information to a remote device. In someembodiments, the one or more items within the container comprisevegetation, the vegetation comprising one or more of plants, sod,flowers, bushes, and trees.

A method for an automated container kiosk is disclosed. In oneembodiment, a method includes receiving a request over a data network tounlock the door of the container. In certain embodiments, a methodincludes determining whether one or more payment conditions is satisfiedfor one or more items within a container. In some embodiments, a methodincludes, in response to determining that the one or more paymentconditions is satisfied, receiving unlock information for unlocking adoor of a container and enabling one or more security measures formonitoring activity within the container.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a containersystem 100 for an automated container kiosk. The container system 100,as described herein, provides for unsupervised payment and access toitems within the container 102. The container 102 may be placed in alocation that allows users to approach the container 102, providecredentials, payment information, or the like, and access and removeitems within the container 102 that the user has purchased. Thecontainer 102, as described in more detail below, may be self-containedsuch that it does require hook-ups to external utilities to function,and includes various security measures for monitoring and reportingactivities outside and within the container 102. In this manner, thecontainer 102 can be placed in a remote location or in an urban setting,and does not require an owner, employee, manager, or other person tosupervise the container(s) 102.

In one embodiment, the container system 100 includes a container 102.The container 102 may be a shipping container (e.g., a CONEX box), asemi-trailer, or another container that is water-proof, wind-proof,sturdy, and rigid. In certain embodiments, the container 102 isinsulated to help maintain a temperature or temperature range within thecontainer. A container 102 as described herein may have variousdimensions, e.g., lengths, heights, depths. The container 102 may befixed at a location, may be configured to be mobile (e.g., on a trailerthat can be towed), or the like, and may be hooked-up to utilities suchas water, power, gas, etc.

In one embodiment, the container 102 may include one or more doors 104that provide access to the interior of the container 102 through one ormore corresponding entryways. The doors 104 may be located on the longside of the container 102 and/or the short side of the container 102.For instance, a container 102 that has a length of forty feet mayinclude three doors 104 along the long side of the container 102. Eachdoor 104 may be wide and tall enough for a standard pallet of items tofit through the door 104. Thus, with a forty-foot container 102, twodoors 104 may each be fourteen feet wide and a third door 104 may be tenfeet wide, with each door being seven feet high. In another example, acontainer 102 that is twenty-feet wide may have two doors 104 along thelong side of the container 102 that are each nine feet wide and sevenfeet tall. Other configurations and dimensions may be used and will berecognizable to one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure,e.g., doors 104 at the short side of the container 102, windows, etc.

In one embodiment, the container 102 includes a locking mechanism 106for each door 104. The locking mechanism 106 may include a padlock, acombination lock, and/or the like. In other embodiments, the lockingmechanism 106 includes a smart lock, which is designed to performlocking and unlocking operations on a door 104 when it receives suchinstructions from a device using a wireless protocol, e.g., Bluetooth®,near-field communication (“NFC”), or the like, and a cryptographic keyor code to execute the authorization process. It may also monitor accessand send alerts for the different events it monitors, such as lockingand unlocking events, and other critical events related to the status ofthe device, e.g., low battery, malfunction, etc.

For instance, a device such as a smart phone may communicate with thesmart lock using a Bluetooth® connection to provide a code, a password,a combination, a pass phrase, or the like to the smart lock to actuatethe locking mechanism 106 to lock or unlock the smart lock. In certainembodiments, the locking mechanism 106 may comprise a digital orphysical keypad where a user can enter a code, a combination, or thelike to actuate (e.g., lock/unlock) the locking mechanism 106. Thelocking mechanism 106 may be located on the door 104, on the container102 proximate to the door 104, or the like.

FIG. 1B is a perspective cut-away view illustrating another embodimentof a container 102 for an automated container kiosk. In one embodiment,the container 102 includes a controller 152 that is configured tocontrol, command, monitor, and/or the like the actions of varioussystems, components, parts, or the like of the container 102. Thecontroller 152 may be a computing device, an integrated circuit device,an FPGA or ASIC device, and/or the like. In one embodiment, thecontroller 152 is operably connected to one or more interior lights 154.The interior lights 154 may be configured to illuminate the interior ofthe container 102. Furthermore, the controller 152 may be operablecoupled to one or more interior cameras 156 that are configured tocapture images, video, audio, and/or the like of the interior of thecontainer 102.

In some embodiments, the container 102 includes one or more exteriorlights 155 for illuminating an exterior of the container 102 and/or oneor more exterior cameras 157 for capturing images, video, audio, and/orthe like of the exterior of the container 102. In certain embodiments,the container 102 includes a climate control system that the controller152 controls for maintaining various climate settings within thecontainer 102. The settings may be based on the types of items 170 inthe container 102. For instance, the climate control system may set thecontainer to be warmer and more humid if vegetation is stored in thecontainer 102 as opposed to clothing or electronics, which may require adryer, less humid climate.

The climate control system may include a moisture/humidity system 162that include a plurality of sprinklers 164, drippers, or the like thatare configured to provide moisture to items 170 within the container102. In such an embodiment, the items 170 may include vegetation such assod, plants, flowers, bushes, trees, shrubs, and/or the like. Otheritems may include produce such as vegetables, fruits, etc. The moisturesystem 162 may be hooked-up to a continuous water source (e.g., acity-water hook-up) and/or may include a refillable water tank 168 thatcan act as the primary or secondary source of water (so that thecontainer 102 can be placed at a location that does not include waterhook-ups). Various different types and sizes of items may be placed inthe container 102 (e.g., clothes, electronics, furniture, etc.), notjust vegetation, as one of skill in the art will recognize in light ofthis disclosure.

The climate control system, in some embodiments, is operably coupled toa heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) unit 166 that isconfigured to maintain a temperature within the container 102. Themoisture/humidity system 162 and/or the HVAC unit 166 may be remotelycontrollable. For instance, the moisture/humidity system 162 and/or theHVAC unit 166 may be smart devices, or coupled to smart devices (e.g., asmart thermostat) such that a user, owner, manager, or the like canremotely control the amount of humidity in the container, enable ordisable the sprinklers 164, set a schedule for activating the sprinklers164, set or change a temperature for the HVAC unit 166, and/or the like.

In certain embodiments, the container 102 may include various sensors(not shown) for triggering different components of the container 102.For instance, the container may include motion sensors, proximitysensors, temperature sensors, moisture sensors, and/or the like that maytrigger different actions. For example, the controller 102 may enablethe interior lights 154 and/or interior cameras in response to a motionsensor detecting motion within the container 102, in response to thedoor 104 being opened or unlocked, and/or the like. Similarly, thecontroller 152 may enable the exterior lights 155 and/or video cameras157 in response to motion sensors detecting motion outside of thecontainer 102. Temperature sensors and/or moisture/humidity sensors maybe used to trigger enabling/disabling the HVAC system 166 and/orenabling/disabling the moisture/humidity system 162. In this manner, thecomponents are not persistently enabled or active, which conservesenergy and power. In certain embodiments, the container 102 includes abar code scanner, a radio-frequency identificationscanner/reader/sensor, and/or the like to scan or detect items as theyare placed in the container 102 and removed from the container 102.

In some embodiments, the container 102 includes a power system (notshown). The power system, in one embodiments, includes electricalcomponents to power the various components of the container 102, e.g.,the lights, cameras, moisture/humidity control system 162, HVAC system166, controller 152, and/or the like. In certain embodiments, the powersystem includes hook-ups for a continuous power source, such as a powergrid. In some embodiments, the power system includes a solar panel 158that is configured to generate electricity using solar power. Thegenerated electricity may be stored in one or more batteries (notshown), which may be used to power the components of the container 102.In this manner, the container 102 is self-contained such that it can beplaced in a remote location without a connection to persistent power orother utilities.

In one embodiment, the container 102 includes a wireless signalreceiver/transmitter 160 such as an antennae, satellite, and/or thelike. For instance, the wireless signal receiver/transmitter 160 may beconnected to a cellular network or other wireless network such that thecontroller 152 and/or other components of the container 102 cancommunicate remotely with other devices, e.g., so that an owner ormanager of the container 102 can remotely manage the container'scomponents.

In one embodiment, the container apparatus 204 is configured to receivea request from a user to unlock the door 104 to the container 102,verify that payment has been made for one or more items within thecontainer 102, receive an unlock code to unlock the door 104 if paymenthas been verified, and then enable one or more security features (e.g.,lights and cameras) within the container 102 to monitor the userremoving items from the container 102. The container apparatus 204ensures that the user only removes what he has paid for, and if the userremoves items that were not paid for, or if there is other theft orvandalism performed, then container apparatus 204 can alert theowner/manager of the container 102, law enforcement authorities, and/orthe like. In this manner, the container 204 can be remotely managed andmonitored while allowing unsupervised access to the container 102. Thecontainer apparatus 204 is described in more detail below with referenceto FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of asystem 200 for an automated container kiosk. In one embodiment, thesystem 200 includes one or more information handling devices 202, one ormore container apparatuses 204, one or more data networks 206, one ormore servers 208, and one or more containers 102 as described above withreference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. In certain embodiments, even though aspecific number of information handling devices 202, containerapparatuses 204, data networks 206, servers 208, and containers 102 aredepicted in FIG. 2, one of skill in the art will recognize, in light ofthis disclosure, that any number of information handling devices 202,container apparatuses 204, data networks 206, servers 208, andcontainers 102 may be included in the system 200.

In one embodiment, the system 200 includes one or more informationhandling devices 202. The information handling devices 202 may includeone or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer,a smart phone, a smart speaker (e.g., Amazon Echo®, Google Home®, AppleHomePod®), a security system, a set-top box, a gaming console, a smartTV, a smart watch, a fitness band or other wearable activity trackingdevice, an optical head-mounted display (e.g., a virtual realityheadset, smart glasses, or the like), a High-Definition MultimediaInterface (“HDMI”) or other electronic display dongle, a personaldigital assistant, a digital camera, a video camera, or anothercomputing device comprising a processor (e.g., a central processing unit(“CPU”), a processor core, a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”) orother programmable logic, an application specific integrated circuit(“ASIC”), a controller, a microcontroller, and/or another semiconductorintegrated circuit device), a volatile memory, and/or a non-volatilestorage medium. The container 102 may comprise an information handlingdevice 102 that acts as the controller 152 and/or executes an instanceof a controller 152.

In certain embodiments, the information handling devices 202 arecommunicatively coupled to one or more other information handlingdevices 202 and/or to one or more servers 208 over a data network 206,described below. The information handling devices 202, in furtherembodiments, may include processors, processor cores, and/or the likethat are configured to execute various programs, program code,applications, instructions, functions, and/or the like. For instance,the information handling device 202 may include applications, programs,code, instructions, interfaces, and/or the like for wirelesslycommunicating with a container 102 to control the various elements ofthe container 102 such as the lock for the door 104, the HVAC system166, the moisture/humidity system 162, the interior 154 and exteriorlights 155, the interior 156 and exterior cameras 157, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, the container apparatus 204, described abovewith reference to FIG. 1, may be embodied as a hardware appliance thatcan be installed or deployed on an information handling device 202, on aserver 208, on a container 102, or elsewhere on the data network 206. Incertain embodiments, the container apparatus 204 may include a hardwaredevice such as a secure hardware dongle or other hardware appliancedevice (e.g., a set-top box, a network appliance, or the like) thatattaches to a device such as a laptop computer, a server 208, a tabletcomputer, a smart phone, a security system, or the like, either by awired connection (e.g., a universal serial bus (“USB”) connection) or awireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, near-field communication(“NFC”), or the like); that attaches to an electronic display device(e.g., a television or monitor using an HDMI port, a DisplayPort port, aMini DisplayPort port, VGA port, DVI port, or the like); and/or thelike. A hardware appliance of the container apparatus 204 may include apower interface, a wired and/or wireless network interface, a graphicalinterface that attaches to a display, and/or a semiconductor integratedcircuit device as described below, configured to perform the functionsdescribed herein with regard to the container apparatus 204.

The container apparatus 204, in such an embodiment, may include asemiconductor integrated circuit device (e.g., one or more chips, die,or other discrete logic hardware), or the like, such as afield-programmable gate array (“FPGA”) or other programmable logic,firmware for an FPGA or other programmable logic, microcode forexecution on a microcontroller, an application-specific integratedcircuit (“ASIC”), a processor, a processor core, or the like. In oneembodiment, the container apparatus 204 may be mounted on a printedcircuit board with one or more electrical lines or connections (e.g., tovolatile memory, a non-volatile storage medium, a network interface, aperipheral device, a graphical/display interface, or the like). Thehardware appliance may include one or more pins, pads, or otherelectrical connections configured to send and receive data (e.g., incommunication with one or more electrical lines of a printed circuitboard or the like), and one or more hardware circuits and/or otherelectrical circuits configured to perform various functions of thecontainer apparatus 204.

The semiconductor integrated circuit device or other hardware applianceof the container apparatus 204, in certain embodiments, includes and/oris communicatively coupled to one or more volatile memory media, whichmay include but is not limited to random access memory (“RAM”), dynamicRAM (“DRAM”), cache, or the like. In one embodiment, the semiconductorintegrated circuit device or other hardware appliance of the containerapparatus 204 includes and/or is communicatively coupled to one or morenon-volatile memory media, which may include but is not limited to: NANDflash memory, NOR flash memory, nano random access memory (nano RAM orNRAM), nanocrystal wire-based memory, silicon-oxide based sub-10nanometer process memory, graphene memory,Silicon-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon (“SONOS”), resistive RAM (“RRAM”),programmable metallization cell (“PMC”), conductive-bridging RAM(“CBRAM”), magneto-resistive RAM (“MRAM”), dynamic RAM (“DRAM”), phasechange RAM (“PRAM” or “PCM”), magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disk,tape), optical storage media, or the like.

The data network 206, in one embodiment, includes a digitalcommunication network that transmits digital communications. The datanetwork 206 may include a wireless network, such as a wireless cellularnetwork, a local wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network, a Bluetooth®network, a near-field communication (“NFC”) network, an ad hoc network,and/or the like. The data network 206 may include a wide area network(“WAN”), a storage area network (“SAN”), a local area network (“LAN”),an optical fiber network, the internet, or other digital communicationnetwork. The data network 206 may include two or more networks. The datanetwork 206 may include one or more servers, routers, switches, and/orother networking equipment. The data network 206 may also include one ormore computer readable storage media, such as a hard disk drive, anoptical drive, non-volatile memory, RAM, or the like.

The wireless connection may be a mobile telephone network. The wirelessconnection may also employ a Wi-Fi network based on any one of theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) 802.11standards. Alternatively, the wireless connection may be a Bluetooth®connection. In addition, the wireless connection may employ a RadioFrequency Identification (“RFID”) communication including RFID standardsestablished by the International Organization for Standardization(“ISO”), the International Electrotechnical Commission (“IEC”), theAmerican Society for Testing and Materials® (ASTM®), the DASH7™Alliance, and EPCGlobal™.

Alternatively, the wireless connection may employ a ZigBee® connectionbased on the IEEE 802 standard. In one embodiment, the wirelessconnection employs a Z-Wave® connection as designed by Sigma Designs®.Alternatively, the wireless connection may employ an ANT® and/or ANT+®connection as defined by Dynastream® Innovations Inc. of Cochrane,Canada.

The wireless connection may be an infrared connection includingconnections conforming at least to the Infrared Physical LayerSpecification (“IrPHY”) as defined by the Infrared Data Association®(“IrDA”®). Alternatively, the wireless connection may be a cellulartelephone network communication. All standards and/or connection typesinclude the latest version and revision of the standard and/orconnection type as of the filing date of this application.

The one or more servers 208, in one embodiment, may be embodied as bladeservers, mainframe servers, tower servers, rack servers, and/or thelike. The one or more servers 208 may be configured as mail servers, webservers, application servers, FTP servers, media servers, data servers,web servers, file servers, virtual servers, and/or the like. The one ormore servers 208 may be communicatively coupled (e.g., networked) over adata network 206 to one or more information handling devices 202 and/orcontainers 102. For instance, a server 208 may be an intermediarybetween information handling devices 202 to facilitate sending andreceiving electronic messages between the information handling devices202 and the containers 102.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anapparatus 300 for an automated container kiosk. In one embodiment, theapparatus 300 includes an instance of a container apparatus 204. Thecontainer apparatus 204 may include one or more of a request module 302,a payment module 304, a security module 306, and a theft module 308,which are described in more detail below.

The request module 302, in one embodiment, is configured to receive arequest over a data network 106 to unlock a door 104 of a container 102.As used herein, the request to unlock the door 104 may comprise amessage, notification, signal, data packet, and/or another type ofelectronic communication that includes an indicator that the user isrequesting that the door 104 be unlocked. In one embodiment, the requestmay be received from the container 102 itself. For instance, a user mayinteract with a kiosk at the container 102 (e.g., a digital or physicalkiosk), with a smart lock at the container 102 (e.g., a button on thekeypad for the lock), and/or the like. In some embodiments, thecontainer 102 may include a dedicated button, switch, or the like thattriggers an unlock request when pressed. In further embodiments, therequest module 302 may receive a request to unlock the door 104 from auser's device, e.g., via a mobile application, a web page request, aphone call, a text message, an instant message, a social media post,and/or the like. One of skill in the art will recognize other electronicmeans for receiving a request to unlock the door 104 of the container102 in light of this disclosure.

In such an embodiment, the request may be received at the controller 152of the container 102 over a wired connection to the kiosk or keypad,over a short-range wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth®, NFC, or thelike) to the user's device, from a cloud or remote server 208 thatreceives the request from the user's device (e.g., via a website orsocial media post), and/or the like. The request may include a uniqueidentifier for the user, one or more credentials for the user (e.g., ausername, password, passphrase, keycode, or the like), a timestamp ofthe request (which the request module 302 may log), the location wherethe request came from (e.g., based on the user's IP address, GPSlocation, the keypad or kiosk being physically interacted with, or thelike), and/or the like.

In certain embodiments, if the request module 302 receives a requestfrom a location that is further from the container 102 than a predefinedor threshold distance, the request may be denied, ignored, discarded,and/or the like. For example, if the request module 302 receives arequest to unlock the door 104 from a location that is more than tenfeet from the container 102, then the request may be ignored. Otherthreshold distances may be configured by the owner or manager of thecontainer 102, including servicing unlock requests from any locationregardless of the distance from the container 102.

The payment module 304, in one embodiment, is configured to determinewhether one or more payment conditions is satisfied for one or moreitems 170 within the container 102. In certain embodiments, in responseto receiving the unlock request, the payment module 304 checks theuser's account (which may be accessible from a server 208 or otherremote device or third-party device over the data network 106, and usingthe user's identifier, name, account number, credentials, and/or thelike) to determine whether the user has paid for one or more items 170within the container 102. A payment condition, as used herein, comprisesa manner in which payment is provided for one or more items 170 withinthe container 102 and whether the full purchase price has been paid. Thepayment may be an online payment, an electronic payment, acredit/debit/gift card payment, a cash payment, a check payment, and/orthe like.

In some embodiments, the payment module 304 receives payment from theuser via the user's device, e.g., from a mobile application, a web page,a social media site, a text message, an automated voice payment system,a digital wallet (e.g., Venmo®), an online payment system (e.g.,PayPal®), and/or the like. In further embodiments, the payment module304 receives payment at a kiosk located at the container, e.g., a kioskthat allows the user to enter payment information (e.g., credit cardinformation, digital payment information, etc.), swipe acredit/debit/gift card, insert cash, and/or the like.

In certain embodiments, the payment module 304, either on the user'sdevice or at the container kiosk, receives a selection of items that theuser wishes to purchase that are within the container 102. The paymentmodule 304 may track inventory within the container 102 or receiveinventory information from a server 208 or another device 202 thatmaintains inventory information for the container 102. The user can thenuse his device or the kiosk to select the items 170 he wants to purchaseand provide payment information to checkout.

The security module 306, in one embodiment, in response to determiningthat the one or more payment conditions is satisfied, receivesinformation for unlocking the door 104 to the container 102. Forinstance, the request module 302 may provide the unlock request to aserver 208 or other device that stores the user's account and paymentinformation over the data network 106 and may receive the unlockinformation for unlock the door 104 to the container 102 if the paymentmodule 304 determines that the user has paid for one or more items inthe container 102.

The unlock information may include a code, key, phrase, or the like thatthe security module 306 receives at the user's device and that can beentered on a keypad to actuate the locking mechanism 106. In someembodiments where the locking mechanism 106 is a smart lock, the unlockinformation includes a code, key, phrase, password, or the like forwirelessly connecting the user's device to the smart lock and cause thesmart lock to actuate. In some embodiments, the unlock informationcomprises a one-time-use unlock code such that the code is regenerated,renewed, recreated, or otherwise not repeated for each use, e.g., theunlock code is invalidated once it is used, invalidated after a periodof time, and/or the like. In various embodiments, the security module306 at the container 102 may receive the unlock information andautomatically unlock and/or open the door 104 without requiring the userto enter the unlock information or manually actuate the lockingmechanism 106.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the security module 306automatically closes the door after detecting a period of time withoutactivity within the container 102. For instance, if sensors within thecontainer 102, such as motion sensors, do not detect activity within thecontainer for a predetermined period of time, e.g., 5 minutes, 10minutes, etc., the security module 306 may automatically close any opendoors 104 or other entryways into the container 102 to preventunauthorized access into the container 102 and theft of items 170 withinthe container 102.

In further embodiments, in response to the door 104 being unlocked, inresponse to the door 104 being opened, and/or the like, the securitymodule 306 enables one or more security measures within the container102 and/or outside the container 102 for monitoring activity within andwithout the container 102. For example, the security module 306 mayreceive a signal that the locking mechanism 106 has been unlocked (e.g.,from the smart lock, from a sensor coupled to the locking mechanism, orthe like) and may enable interior lights 154 and cameras 156 within thecontainer 102 to illuminate, monitor, track, and capture activity withinthe container 102 such as the user taking the items 170 that werepurchased from the container 102. The security module 306 may furtherenable exterior lights 155 and cameras 157 to illuminate, monitor,track, and capture activity around the container 102. In this manner,the security measures may only be enabled when there is activity aroundand within the container 102 (to conserver power) and may capturemischievous and/or unauthorized activities.

In certain embodiments, the security module 306 further sends anotification to an owner, manager, or other person associated with thecontainer 102 to notify them that a customer is within the container102. In such an embodiment, the security module 306 may also provide alive video feed (e.g., as a link to the feed, as a push notification fora mobile application, or the like) of the inside/outside of thecontainer 102 to the person's device so that the person can monitor thecustomer's activities in real-time. As described above, the lights154/155 and/or cameras 156/157 may be activated, turned on, powered on,or the like in response to the locking mechanism 106 being unlocked, inresponse to the door 104 being opened, in response to motion beingdetected within the container 102, and/or the like. The security module306 may also provide an audio feed of the activities and allow the owneror manager to remotely speak to the customer using the owner's ormanager's device (e.g., provided the container 102 includes microphonesand speakers). The security module 306 may store images, video, and/oraudio of the customer's activities at a server 208 or another device.

The theft module 308, in one embodiment, is configured to detect one ormore items 170 that are taken from the container 102 that have not beenpurchased. In certain embodiments, if the theft module 308 detects thatitems 170 are being stolen from the container 102, the theft module 308sends an alarm notification to an owner/manager of the container 102, toa law enforcement agency, and/or the like.

In certain embodiments, the theft module 308 detects the one or moreitems 170 that are taken from the container 102 that have not beenpurchased by processing images of items 170 taken from the container102. For instance, the theft module 308 may capture images of items 170using the cameras 154/155, e.g., as the items 170 pass through thedoorway, and process the images to determine whether the items 170correspond to items 170 that the customer has purchased, e.g., on thecustomer's order or receipt. The theft module 308 may utilize existingimage processing methods at the controller 152 or at a remote server 208to identify the items 170 in the images.

In one embodiment, the theft module 308 detects the one or more items170 that are taken from the container 102 that have not been purchasedby scanning items 170 as they are removed from the container 102. Forinstance, the container may include a barcode scanner, an RFID reader,or other tag/identification detector that reads identificationinformation from an item 170 when the item 170 is removed from thecontainer. The theft module 308 may cross-reference the identified items170 with the customer's order or receipt to determine whether thecustomer purchased the items 170 that are being removed from thecontainer 102.

In further embodiments, the theft module 308 detects the one or moreitems 170 that are taken from the container 102 that have not beenpurchased by using one or more weight sensors to determine the weight ofthe container 102 before and after items 170 are removed from thecontainer 102. In such an embodiment, an actual or estimated weight ofeach item 170 may be determined and logged. The theft module 308 maythen determine the weight of an item 170 as it is removed from thecontainer 102 by determining the difference between the weight of thecontainer 102 before and after the item 107 is removed from thecontainer.

The theft module 308 may use the determined weight of the item 170 tolookup an item 170 in the container 102 that has the determined weight(e.g., using the weight as an index into a lookup table, or the like)and cross-reference the identified items 170 with the customer's orderor receipt to determine whether the customer purchased the items 170that are being removed from the container 102. In other embodiments, thetheft module 308 may use information from weight sensors placed onpallets, tables, shelfs, crates, and/or the like to determine the weightof items 170 that are removed from the container 102.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow-chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method 400 for an automated container kiosk. In one embodiment, themethod 400 begins and receives 402 a request over a data network 106 tounlock the door 104 of a container 102. In further embodiments, if themethod 400 determines 404 that one or more payment conditions is notsatisfied for one or more items 170 within the container 102, the method400 ends.

Otherwise, the method 400 receives 406 unlock information for unlockingthe door 104 of the container 102. The method 400, in variousembodiments, enables 408 one or more security measures for monitoringactivity within the container 102, and the method 400 ends. In certainembodiments, the request module 302, the payment module 304, thesecurity module 306, and the theft module 308 perform the various stepsof the method 400.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict a schematic flow-chart diagram illustrating oneembodiment of a method 500 for an automated container kiosk. In oneembodiment, the method 500 begins and receives 502 a request over a datanetwork 106 to unlock the door 104 of a container 102. In furtherembodiments, if the method 500 determines 504 that one or more paymentconditions is not satisfied for one or more items 170 within thecontainer 102, the method 400 ends (following ‘B’ to FIG. 5B).

Otherwise, in one embodiment, the method 500 receives 506 unlockinformation for unlocking the container door 104. In some embodiments,the method 500 automatically unlocks 508 the container door 104 usingthe unlock information and automatically opens 510 the container door104. If the method 500 determines 512 that there is no activity withinthe container 102, the method 500 continues to monitor for activitywithin the container 102.

Otherwise, the method 500 enables 514 lights 154/155 and/or cameras156/157 within the container 102 and notifies 516 the containerowner/manager of the activity within the container 102. The method 500,in certain embodiments, sends 518 a live video feed of the activity thatis captured using the cameras 156/157 to the owner/manager of thecontainer 102.

Following ‘A’ to FIG. 5B, the method 500 detects 520 items 170 that areremoved from the container 102 and identifies 522 the removed items 170.In certain embodiments, if the method 500 determines 524 that theremoved items 170 are not items 170 that the customer has purchased, themethod 500 notifies 526 the owner/manager of the container 102 of thepossible theft, and the method 500 ends.

Otherwise, if the method 500 determines 528 that there are more items170 to be removed from the container 102 that the customer haspurchased, the method 500 continues to detect 520 items 170 that areremoved from the container 102. Otherwise, the method 500 ends. Incertain embodiments, the request module 302, the payment module 304, thesecurity module 306, and the theft module 308 perform the various stepsof the method 500.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a request moduleconfigured to receive a request over a data network to unlock a door ofa container; a payment module configured to determine whether one ormore payment conditions is satisfied for one or more items within thecontainer; and a security module configured to, in response todetermining that the one or more payment conditions is satisfied:receive unlock information for unlocking the door of the container, theunlock information comprising a one-time use unlock code for a digitallock that is used to lock the door, the one-time use code not validafter it is used to unlock the door; and in response to unlocking thedoor of the container, enable one or more security measures formonitoring activity within an interior of the container, the one or moresecurity measures comprising turning on one or more cameras and lightsthat are located within the interior of the container to capture one ormore of images and videos of a user while the user is within theinterior of the container; and a climate control system, the climatecontrol system configured to maintain one or more climate settingswithin the container, the climate settings determined based on a type ofitems within the container, wherein the modules comprise one or more ofhardware circuits, programmable hardware devices, and a processorexecuting code.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the security moduleis further configured to enable one or more cameras and lights locatedon an external surface of the container in response to detecting auser's proximity to the container.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe security module is further configured to one or more of send anotification and provide a live video feed of an interior of thecontainer in response to a user accessing the interior of the container.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the security module is furtherconfigured to: automatically unlock and open the door in response toreceiving the unlock information for unlocking the door; andautomatically close the door after detecting a period of time withoutactivity within the container.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a theft module configured to detect one or more items thatare taken from the container that have not been purchased.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the theft module detects the one or moreitems that are taken from the container that have not been purchased byone or more of processing images of items taken from the container,scanning items as they are removed from the container, and using one ormore weight sensors to determine the weight of the container before andafter the items are removed from the container.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the theft module is further configured to send an alarmin response to detecting the one or more items that are taken from thecontainer that have not been purchased.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the payment module receives payment for one or more items withinthe container via one or more of a mobile application, an automatedphone payment system, and a kiosk located at the container.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the unlock information comprises an unlockcode for a digital lock that is used to lock the door.
 10. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein the security module is further configured toautomatically unlock the door using the unlock code in response toreceiving the unlock code.
 11. A container, comprising: a power system,the power system comprising one or more solar panels and batteries forpowering different components of the container; a door, the dooroperably coupled to the container and comprising a locking mechanismconfigured to selectively allow unsupervised access to an inside of thecontainer; and a controller, the controller configured to: receive arequest over a data network to unlock the door of the container;determine whether one or more payment conditions is satisfied for one ormore items within the container; and in response to determining that theone or more payment conditions is satisfied: receive unlock informationfor unlocking the locking mechanism, the unlock information comprising aone-time use unlock code for a digital lock that is used to lock thedoor, the one-time use code not valid after it is used to unlock thedoor; and in response to unlocking the door of the container, enable oneor more security measures for monitoring activity within an interior ofthe container, the one or more security measures comprising turning onone or more cameras and lights that are located within the interior ofthe container to capture one or more of images and videos of a userwhile the user is within the interior of the container; and a climatecontrol system, the climate control system configured to communicatewith the controller to maintain one or more climate settings within thecontainer, the climate settings determined based on a type of itemswithin the container.
 12. The container of claim 11, wherein the climatecontrol system comprises a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(“HVAC”) system for controlling a temperature of the interior of thecontainer, the temperature determined based on the type of items withinthe container.
 13. The container of claim 11, wherein the climatecontrol system further comprises one or more moisture components forgenerating humidity and providing moisture to one or items within thecontainer.
 14. The container of claim 11, further comprising a wirelesscommunication system, the wireless communication system comprising oneor more of satellite components, cellular components, and Wi-Ficomponents for wirelessly communicating information to a remote device.15. The container of claim 11, wherein the one or more items within thecontainer comprise vegetation, the vegetation comprising one or more ofplants, sod, flowers, bushes, and trees.
 16. A method, comprising:receiving a request over a data network to unlock a door of a container;determining whether one or more payment conditions is satisfied for oneor more items within the container; in response to determining that theone or more payment conditions is satisfied: receiving unlockinformation for unlocking the door of the container, the unlockinformation comprising a one-time use unlock code for a digital lockthat is used to lock the door, the one-time use code not valid after itis used to unlock the door; and in response to unlocking the door of thecontainer, enabling one or more security measures for monitoringactivity within an interior of the container, the one or more securitymeasures comprising turning on one or more cameras and lights that arelocated within the interior of the container to capture one or more ofimages and videos of a user while the user is within the interior of thecontainer; and maintaining one or more climate settings within thecontainer using a climate control system, the climate settingsdetermined based on a type of items within the container.